Architectural plans and professional guidance for your home project

You will need to prepare architectural plans for your home project.

They are often called “architect plans” however they do not need to be prepared by chartered architects (ARB / RIBA) as such.

While it is true that you can appoint a number of other professionals to prepare architectural plans or “architect plans” there will be instances when an architect is the professional with the right type of skills, knowledge and experience for your home project.

Below we have put together information and guidance about what architectural plans are and what are not, what is typically included in architect plans, and even if you can draw up your own architects plans.

Can I do my own drawings for planning permission?

I have seen it happen successfully and you might be able to do your own drawings for a planning permission.

For the simplest of projects you will need to prepare a set of plans as existing to include relevant floor plans, elevations and sections to illustrate your property. These plans as existing need to be prepared to a given scale and they need to include sufficient detail for the purposes of your home project.

Afterwards you will need to prepare a set of plans as proposed. These plans will show to the Council what you propose to do with your property. Also, they need to include relevant information on dimensions, on materials, and relationships to boundaries.

Your Council will have a list of validations requirements, this is similar to the validation information you will find in the Planning Portal. Also please note that for the planning submission you will also need to prepare design, access, heritage, etc statements in support of your planning application.

For the simplest of projects, and with a bit of skill from your side, you might be able to do your own drawings and successfully submit a planning application.

However a successful submission is only one half of the job and for a successful outcome you will still need design and planning advice from an architect or other professional.

You will need someone who will not only prepare architectural plans on your behalf but who will also ensure that these architect plans are in accordance to the current planning guidelines and have a high chance of approval by your local authority.

Can I draw my own plans for building regs?

“Building regulations are minimum standards for design, construction and alterations to virtually every building. The regulations are developed by the UK government and approved by Parliament.

The Building Regulations 2010 cover the construction and extension of buildings and these regulations are supported by Approved Documents. Approved Documents set out detailed practical guidance on compliance with the regulations.

Building regulations approval is different from planning permission and you might need both for your project.

You can apply to any local authority building control department or Approved Inspector for building regulations approval.”

Planning Portal – Building Control.

While you might be able to draw up your own planning stage plans it is likely that you do not have the right knowledge to prepare the more detailed and technical architectural plans that are required for a Building Regulations submission.

And remember that you will also need to have prepared structural plans, prepared by a qualified professional with professional indemnity insurance in place, to submit as part of your Building Regulations application.

If you are keen and willing to give it a go still then make sure you give yourself plenty of time to familiarise yourself with the relevant legislation requirements and guidelines. Your starting point is the Approved Documents that not only give a summary of the relevant legislation but also include diagrammes on ways to satisfy these legal requirements.

Having said that, it is all very technical for a layperson and you will be best served by appointing a professional to prepare the relevant plans and information for the Building Regulations submission.

Do I need architectural plans for an extension?

It is likely that you will need a few different types of architects plans for your home extension project.

To start with you will need to prepare some sketch and design architectural plans to help you decide what you want to do with the new extension area. You will also want to see how the adjacent existing spaces will be affected by the new extension. And once you have prepared a set of drawings (plans, elevations, and sections) as proposed you will be able to make decisions on the overall size of rooms, their relationship to eachother, and the balance of the circulation routes.

Afterwards you will need to refine these sketch and design plans and develop them to create planning stage architectural plans for the planning submission to the Council. These plans will need to include relevant information in response to the planning requirements and to demonstrate that your proposals comply with the planning guidelines and requirements.

Then you will need to develop the planning architectural plans further, add detail to them, include structural information prepared by an engineer, to create Building Regulations architectural plans.

Other architect drawings you might need for your extension project might include tendering architects plans and architect drawings for the Freeholder, Party Walls, or Thames Water.

All this explains the different type of information you will need to include in a given set of plans depending on the requirements in each case. It does not mean that these plans need to be prepared by an architect. However you need to make sure that whoever prepares this information has the right type of knowledge, skills and experience to be able to assist with your home extension project.

How do I make my own architectural plans?

You can start by doing a course in architecture and qualifying as an architect. It currently takes a minimum of 7no. years full time to qualify as an architect.

Failing that, and given that you do not really need to be an architect to prepare architectural plans, you can start instead with learning a bit more about construction. In addition to this, you will need to learn a bit more about how to do drawings either by hand or in a computer.

This is not a task for the faint-hearted.

While trying to get your head around thermal bridging or planning guidelines that seem to lack common sense you might come to the conclusion that life is short. And that you do not want to take the risk and to go through the hassle of making your own architectural plans.

In this case you can contact us to assist and we will be happy to prepare accurate and professional architects plans for your home project. Because this is what we do.

Terraced house extension plans and professional guidance for your home project

• Do you own a Georgian, Edwardian or Victorian house?

• Is it terraced, semi-detached or detached?

• And would you like to add a single or double storey extension?

In all these cases you will need to prepare house extension plans for your home project.

According to the Office for National Statistics – Census 2021

• 7.8 million households (31.5% of all households) were in semi-detached properties, up from 31.3% (7.3 million) in 2011
• 5.8 million (23.2%) were in detached properties, up from 5.3 million (22.7%) in 2011
• 5.7 million (23.2%) were in terraced properties, down from 5.8 million (24.6%) in 2011

Below we have prepared answers to common questions about what detached, semi-detached and terrace house extension plans and information you will need to prepare for your home project.

Do you need planning drawings or building regulation plans for your terrace house extension?

The quick answer is yes, as a minimum you will need planning drawings and building regulations plans for your terrace house extension project.

The same applies to any type of house extension project, double storey extensions, single storey extensions, and whether the house is terraced, semi-detached or detached.

The idea is that house extension plans are prepared to convey the necessary information for the various approvals you will need to obtain for your home project.

Actually, “plans” is a shorthand for different types of drawings. “Plans” can mean floor plans, elevation illustrations, section cuts through the house, or 3D images that show the house from a bird’s eye view angle.

Terrace house extension planning drawings convey information to the planning officer to demonstrate two key things: a. what is there at the moment and b. what alterations you aim to carry out.

In fact such planning stage house extension plans come in two sets: as existing and as proposed. And the idea is that anyone can compare them to see exactly what the alterations and extension are and how such changes to the house comply with the planning regulations.

Typically such planning stage house extension plans include dimensions about the depth, width and height of the proposed extension. They also include information about the materials you propose to use, how new windows and door relate to the pattern of the existing windows and doors, and they need to demonstrate how your proposed extension impacts the neighbouring houses.

Building Regulations house extension plans are much more detailed and they include a larger quantity of construction information that is relevant to the current Building Regulations. For more information about what you need to include in these Building Regulations plans see Planning Portal – Building Control

Typically though the architect will prepare a set of technical Building Regulations plans and information for the Building Regulations submission. And a structural engineer will also prepare a set of structural Building Regulations plans an information to be also submitted to the Building Regulations Inspector.

The Inspector will check the technical and structural plans, request additional information if this is necessary and provide a conditional approval to these plans. Then the Inspector will visit the building site 4-5 times during the construction stage. At the end of the construction stage the Inspector will certify the building works and confirm that everything was built in accordance to the current Building Regulations.

What type of double storey extension semi detached house plans am I likely to need?

Given that 7.8 million households (31.5% of all households) live in semi-detached properties, single and double extensions are one of the most common types of development to residential properties.

Typically there are two main types of double storey extensions to semi-detached houses you will need plans for:

a. Double storey side extension semi-detached house plans – Semi-detached houses often allow a gap between the side of the house and the side boundary. Georgian, Edwardian and Victorian semi-detached house layouts can easily be added to as long as this gap to the boundary is a minimum of 2.5m. This is true for both the ground and first floor layout. At the ground floor the plan of the semi-detached house will evolve to accommodate an additional reception room or guest bedroom at the front. At the rear of new extension the floor plan can develop to enlarge the kitchen area and to provide a new utility space. On the first floor the plan can be developed to add more bedroom and bathroom areas to the semi-detached house.

b. Double storey rear extension semi-detached house plans – A semi-detached house can be potentially extended to both the side and the rear of the house. When you have a chance to extend on two storeys at the rear, and this is subject to planning approval, you end up with a floor plan that works differently on the ground and first floor levels. In most cases a double rear extension will allow for an enlarged kitchen, living and dining area on the ground floor. On the first floor you need careful development of the design to create additional bedroom and bathroom areas. The reason for this is that the existing staircase or the existing bathroom might not be in an ideal position to allow for the double storey extension to your semi-detached house to create much or useful additional floor space.

Architects London

GOAStudio London residential architecture

We are London architects with a very specific focus, skillset and expertise and we work on residential projects across London.

George Omalianakis is an expert London architect for residential extensions and renovations, Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), and registered with the  Architects Registration Board (ARB).

We are committed to what we do and as architects in London we provide a friendly and professional service that responds to the needs and aspirations of our clients. This is reflected in how we approach our work and how we communicate our values and ideas.

London Borough Planning and Design Guides

We have also prepared a series of London Borough Planning and Design Guides. Across London architects need to deal with different planning policies for each of the London Borough.

Our Guides focus on the guidelines of your local planning authority and the key planning policies that might be relevant to your home project.

GOAStudio architects London Borough of Barnet planning and design guide

For more information see: Barnet Council residential design guidance

N2 East Finchley, Hampstead Garden Suburb, N3 Church End, Finchley, N10 Muswell Hill, N11 Brunswick Park, Friern Barnet, N12 North Finchley, Woodside Park, N14 Southgate, N20 Totteridge, Whetstone, NW2 Cricklewood, NW4 Brent Cross, Hendon, NW7 Mill Hill, NW9 Colindale, The Hyde, NW11 Golders Green, Hampstead Garden Suburb

GOAStudio architects London Borough of Camden planning and design guide

For more information see: Camden Council residential design guidance

N19 Dartmouth Park, NW1 Camden Town, Primrose Hill, Regent’s Park, Somers Town, NW3 Belsize Park, Hampstead, Swiss Cottage, NW5 Gospel Oak, Kentish Town, NW6 Kilburn, South Hampstead, West Hampstead, NW8 Lisson Grove, St John’s Wood, W1 Fitzrovia, Soho, WC1 Bloomsbury, Kings Cross, St Pancras

GOAStudio architects London Borough of Enfield planning and design guide

For more information see: Enfield Local Plan (June 2021)

N9 Lower Edmonton, N11 New Southgate, N13 Palmers Green, N14 Southgate, N18 Edmonton, Upper Edmonton, N21 Winchmore Hill, N22 Bowes Park

GOAStudio architects London Borough of Hackney planning and design guide

For more information see: HACKNEY SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING DOCUMENT RESIDENTIAL EXTENSIONS AND ALTERATIONS – Approved April 2009

Districts:
Dalston, De Beauvoir Town, Finsbury Park, Hackney, Hackney Central, Hackney Downs, Hackney Marshes, Hackney Wick, Haggerston, Homerton, Hoxton, Kingsland, Lea Bridge, London Fields, Lower Clapton, Manor House, Newington Green, Shacklewell, Shoreditch, South Hackney, Stamford Hill, Stoke Newington, Upper Clapton, West Hackney

Postcodes:
E1, E15, E2, E20, E5, E8, E9, EC1V, EC2A, EC2M, N1, N15, N16, N4, N5

GOAStudio architects London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham planning and design guide

For more information see: Hammersmith & Fulham PLANNING GUIDANCE Supplementary Planning Document February 2018 

NW10 Old Oak Common, SW6 Fulham, Parson’s Green, Sands End, W6 Hammersmith, W12 Shepherd’s Bush

GOAStudio architects London Borough of Haringey planning and design guide

For more information see: Haringey Council residential design guidance (Development Management DPD adopted July 2017)

N4 Finsbury Park, Manor House, Stroud Green, N6 Highgate, N8 Crouch End, Hornsey, Turnpike Lane, N10 Bounds Green, Muswell Hill, N15 Seven Sisters, South Tottenham, N17 Tottenham, Tottenham Hale

GOAStudio architects London Borough of Hounslow planning and design guide

For more information see: Hounslow planning department

W4 Chiswick

GOAStudio architects London Borough of Islington planning and design guide

For more information see: Islington Council residential design guidance (Urban Design Guide, Supplementary Planning Document, January 2017) 

EC1 Clerkenwell, Finsbury, St Lukes, N1 Angel, Barnsbury, Canonbury, Clerkenwell, Islington, Pentonville, N5 Highbury, N7 Holloway, Lower Holloway, N19 Archway, Tufnell Park, Upper Holloway, WC1 Kings Cross

GOAStudio architects London Borough of Lambeth planning and design guide

For more information see: 2015 Lambeth Building Alterations & Extensions Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)

SE1 North Lambeth, South Bank, Waterloo, SE11 Kennington, Lambeth, SE19 Gipsy Hill, SE24 Herne Hill, SE27 Tulse Hill, West Norwood, SW2 Brixton, Brixton Hill, Streatham Hill, SW4 Clapham, Clapham Park, SW8 South Lambeth, Vauxhall

GOAStudio architects London Borough of Lewisham planning and design guide

For more information see: 2019 Lewisham Alterations and Extensions Supplementary Planning Document 

SE3 Blackheath, SE4 Brockley, Crofton Park, Honor Oak Park, SE6 Bellingham, Catford, Hither Green, SE8 Deptford, St John’s, SE12 Grove Park, Lee, SE13 Hither Green, Ladywell, Lewisham, SE14 New Cross, New Cross Gate, SE21 Upper Sydenham, SE23 Forest Hill, SE26 Bell Green, Lower Sydenham, Sydenham

GOAStudio architects London Borough of Newham planning and design guide

For more information see: Newham 2027 – Newham’s Local Plan Altering and Extending your Home Supplementary Planning Document 

E6 Beckton, E6 East Ham, E7 Forest Gate, E7 West Ham, E12 Manor Park, E13 Plaistow, E15 Stratford, E15 West Ham, E16 Canning Town, E16 North Woolwich, E16 Silvertown, E16 Victoria Docks

GOAStudio architects London Borough of Redbridge planning and design guide

For more information see: Housing Design Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) – Adopted September 2019

E11 Wanstead Village, E12 Aldersbrook, Wanstead Park, E18 South Woodford, Woodford, Churchfields,, IG1 Ilford Town, IG2 Ilford, Gants Hill, Newbury Park, Aldborough Hatch, IG3 Seven Kings, IG4 Redbridge, IG5 Clayhall, IG6 Barkingside, IG7 Chingwell, IG8 Woodford Green, IG9 Buckhurst Hill, IG10 Loughton, IG11 Barking

GOAStudio architects London Borough of Tower Hamlets planning and design guide

For more information see: Tower Hamlets Planning and Building Control Department

Districts:
Aldgate, Bethnal Green, Bow, Bromley-by-Bow, Cubitt Town, Hackney, Limehouse, Mile End, Poplar, Shadwell, Spitalfields, Stepney, Wapping, Whitechapel, Millwall

Postcodes:
E1, E14, E2, E3

GOAStudio architects London Borough of Waltham Forest planning and design guide

For more information see: Waltham Forest residential design guidance (Residential Extensions and Alterations, Supplementary Planning Document, Adopted February 2010)

E10 Leyton, E11 Leytonstone, E15 Maryland, Leyton, Leytonstone, E17 Walthamstow, E20 Leyton, E4 Chingford, E5 Lea Bridge, E7 Forest Gate, IG8 Woodford, N17 Tottenham

GOAStudio architects London Borough of Wandsworth planning and design guide

For more information see: Wandsworth Local Plan Supplementary Planning Document Housing – Adopted November 2016.

SW8 Nine Elms, SW11 Battersea, Clapham Junction, SW12 Balham, SW15 Putney, Putney Heath, Putney Vale, Roehampton, SW16 Streatham Park, SW17 Furzertown, Tooting, SW18 Earlsfield, Wandsworth, SW19 Putney Vale, Southfields

GOAStudio architects London Borough of Westminster planning and design guide

For more information see: Westminster planning department

NW1 Marylebone, Regent’s Park, SW1 Belgravia, Pimlico, St James’s, Victoria, Westminster, W1 Hyde Park, Marylebone, Mayfair, Piccadilly, Soho, West End, W2 Bayswater, Hyde Park, Paddington, W9 Maida Hill, Maida Vale, Warwick Avenue, W10 Kensal Town, WC1 Holborn, WC2 Chinatown, Covent Garden, Holborn, Strand

LOFT CONVERSION

COST, ADDED VALUE, AND PLANNING PERMISSIONS

By GOAStudio London residential architecture

What loft conversion rooms add value?
How much does a loft conversion cost?
Do loft conversions add value?
What is a hip-to-gable loft conversion?
What is a mansard loft conversion?
Do you need planning permission for a loft conversion?

In addition to our Roof extensions London architect guide and our Mansard roof extensions London architect guide for residential properties across London, we have been asked to contribute with expert advice on a Homebuilding & Renovating article on loft conversions.

“How much value does a loft conversion add — plus room types that add the most value.” By Sam Webb

Below, we have added some more tips, more insights and advice for your loft conversion home project.

How much will my loft conversion cost?

What is a ballpark figure for different property types?

As a matter of fact the cost will vary depending on

1. the size of the extension,
2. the type of the extension,
3. the type of the associated structural alterations required,
4. the type of the internal + external finishes,
5. the specifications of the glazing and any Juliet balcony features,
6. the type of the staircase, and
7. where you are in the country since there are always local and regional variations to the cost of labour and materials.

By and large, you can budget for something like £1,750/sqm added when budgeting for typical loft conversion costs.

For example, this will result to a range of around £40-60K +VAT min for medium sized roof extensions to double pitched roofs. Also, this will result to around £60-90K + VAT min for much larger mansard type roof extensions to butterfly (V-shaped) type roofs.

Indeed, the chances are that the final costs will be higher or lower depending on your requirements. And the final costs will also depend on the type / size of your loft conversion project.

Loft conversion planning permission – Do you need planning permission for a loft conversion?

For one thing, if you do not extend the roof profile and you only use the internal space available to your loft then you will not need planning approval for a loft conversion. However, you might still need Building Regulations, Freeholder and other approvals.

Also, you might still need to obtain planning approval for any rooflights you add to your loft.

In fact, and under specific circumstances, you can extend your roof as part of converting your loft without obtaining planning approval under Permitted Development.

However there are limitations to Permitted Development Rights. For example they apply to house but not to flats. 

In most cases the Permitted Development planning route will give you the largest possible extension to your loft space. This is because you will be able to include a full hip-to-gable loft conversion to the rear roof extension.

In any case and at all times, contact your local planning authority for advice. Also, search for planning policy guidelines to see what your planners are likely to approve for your property. Finally, speak to architects and design professionals for further advice on your home project.

Top tips:

1. Rooflights – do not miss the chance to introduce top light to the loft room and the staircase, this is an opportunity to create an outdoors feel to your internal spaces.

2. Lower headheight areas – take advantage for extra storage, a kid’s play area, indoor plants under rooflights, or just cosy enough for a double bath.

3. Under eaves areas – take advantage of this extra space and make best use of it with specially designed fitted cupboards, wardrobes and shelving.

BOROUGH SPECIFIC ARCHITECT AND PLANNING GUIDES FOR YOUR HOME PROJECT

Your local Council will have in place design and planning requirements for your home project and you will need to obtain planning approval for a wide range of extensions and alterations to your property.

When you get in touch we will offer you detailed advice about what is likely that your Council will approve and in the meantime we have prepared the following architectural and planning guides that include extracts of the relevant planning policy and examples of our projects in our Borough.

Barnet residential architect and planning guide, Camden residential architect and planning guide, Enfield residential architect and planning guide, Hackney residential architect and planning guide, Hammersmith Fulham residential architect and planning guide, Haringey residential architect and planning guide, Hounslow residential architect and planning guide, Islington residential architect and planning guide, Kensington and Chelsea Conservation architects, residential and planning guide,  Lambeth residential architect and planning guide, Lewisham residential architect and planning guide, Newham residential architect and planning guide, Redbridge residential architect and planning guide, Richmond residential architect and planning guide, Tower Hamlets residential architect and planning guide, Waltham Forest residential architect and planning guide, Wandsworth residential architect and planning guide, Westminster residential architect and planning guide

REAR HOUSE EXTENSION IDEAS PHOTO GALLERY
By GOAStudio London residential architecture

Clad in brick or clad in timber.
Fully glazed or half glazed.
Timber frames or steel frames.
Round skylights or walk-on skylights.
Regular roofs or irregular roofs.
Choose a shape, any shape.
Wallah. Job done.

Rear house extensions come in all shapes, and we are here to help you create the “shape” that is right for your home.

Our guide (Rear extensions London architect guide) aims to give you ideas, inspiration and advice about your home project. We have included key questions you might want to ask yourselves before you embark on your project and before you appoint an architect.

For this Architect Advice blog I wanted to have a look specifically at rear house extensions and put together 20no. of our recent projects in a rear house extension ideas photo gallery.

Our projects in this ideas photo gallery come indeed in all shapes and this is a small selection of the work we have done over the years.

For the purposes of this article our rear house extension ideas photo gallery will focus and include a single storey rear house extension ideas photo gallery, a small rear house extension ideas photo gallery, and a  kitchen rear house extension ideas photo gallery.

Kitchen rear house extension ideas photo gallery

Modern living is rather different to how people used to live in the old days.

Traditionally the front rooms were the focus of the daily life and the front of the house had to fulfil a purpose of appearance and the need to accommodate a very different lifestyle compared to how families live today.

Access to the garden is precious today. The garden area is usually found at the back of the house. In the old days the back of the house used to be a servants’ or utility area.

Time-travel to today and family living has moved from front of the house to the back of the house.

These days a rear house extension comes from a need to either extend the kitchen area towards the garden or create a new kitchen area right next to the garden.

A kitchen rear house extension is not just about the kitchen or the kitchen-related utility areas. It is also about kitchen-adjacent dining.

It is about kitchen-adjacent entertaining. It is about kitchen-adjacent kids play areas. These days it is also about kettle-adjacent home-working garden-views.

In the rear house extension ideas photo gallery below we have included a number of kitchen rear house extensions to show you some of these options and how we have designed rear house extensions for our clients.

The form might vary, the materials that were used might vary too. However what all these kitchen rear house extensions have in common is that they all respond to the way families live these days. Contact us for a chat and let us see what we can design for your home project.

Also see our Kitchen extensions London architect guide for advice, ideas and inspiration.